11 November marks exactly 13 years since the Board of the Bank of Lithuania decided that when the single European currency is introduced in the country, its Lithuanian circulation coins will feature the symbol of Vytis, minted based on the plaster models created by the sculptor Antanas Žukauskas.
An open competition held by the Bank of Lithuania attracted 14 authors and co-authors. Money prizes were awarded to five authors (their plaster models are now displayed at the Money Museum).
“When litas is withdrawn from circulation, we will only have euro coins to feature national symbolism. I hope that our Vytis, with his head held high, will gallop through the stars and make Lithuania proud”, said sculptor Antanas Žukauskas during the ceremony in the museum of the Bank of Lithuania.
Truth be told, when the model was chosen, it took quite some time for the image to be seen on the euro coins in circulation. Although it was anticipated that the euro would be adopted in 2007 (therefore the plaster models have this date on them), this was only successfully accomplished in 2015. However, it has already been three years since the horseman started riding throughout Europe and introducing Lithuania to Europeans. And as much as three commemoration coins have already been released, teaching them to pronounce the Lithuanian “ačiū”, reminding them that we originated from the Balts and inviting them to visit Vilnius!
